SCIENCE AND REVOLUTION 



racy." It had been the scientific weapon of prog- 

 ress in the class-struggle between aristocracy and 

 democracy, at a time when theology was not en- 

 throned as an economic ruler, and when religion 

 had at best but a slight hold on men's minds. 

 The new materialist philosophy, on the other 

 hand, arose at a time when the class-struggles 

 raged fiercely around two religions, and when 

 philosophy did not reach down into the world of 

 the trading and working classes. Through the 

 influence of the church, Latin had become the 

 language of science, and in consequence the new 

 materialist philosophy came upon the scene, not 

 as a social force, but as a hobby of scholars, a 

 pastime of the select. And it continued to use 

 Latin as its medium of expression for a long time. 

 Indeed, we have not gotten away from this reac- 

 tionary habit yet, and the fostering of ancient 

 languages in our modern schools still continues 

 to do valiant service in the interest of reaction. 

 It is not until the modern proletariat creates its 

 own science, that the old exclusive and aristo- 

 cratic mannerisms of feudal and middle class 

 science are abandoned, and the familiar language 

 of the day employed to prepare the mental food 

 for the eager proletarian student. 



In the 1 7th century, and to a great extent also 



